The Inspector of Buildings shall examine, or
cause to be examined, all buildings upon which work is to be done
under the provisions of this chapter, as often as practicable, and
shall examine all buildings under application to be moved, raised,
razed, enlarged, altered, restored, built upon or which are reported
to him to be unsafe or dangerous and shall make a record of the same.

The Inspector of Buildings, so far as may be
necessary for the proper performance of his duties, shall have the
right to enter any building or any premises without charge, fee or
restriction and to examine and inspect such building and to order
the suspension of any building operations as shall not conform to
the requirements of this chapter or to order any repairs or alterations
as he may deem necessary to cause it to conform or to be made safe.
No person shall prevent or obstruct the Inspector from entering in
or on any building or premises in the performance of his duties, or
in inspecting the same, or shall continue any building operations
of any kind after the Inspector shall have, in writing, directed the
suspension of the same for such reason, or shall refuse, fail or neglect
to make any repairs or alterations after the Inspector has, for such
reason, directed the same in writing.

No officer, board or commission or other person
other than the Inspector of Buildings shall grant, give or issue any
permit authorizing the erection, construction, alteration or repair
of any building or structure in the City, and no such permit shall
be granted or issued for such erection, construction, alteration or
repair otherwise than in strict conformity to the provisions of this
chapter and to the laws of the commonwealth.

It shall be the duty of the Inspector of Buildings
to keep a full and complete record of all permits issued by him which
shall contain the names of the owners, lessees, occupants, architects
and builders concerned and the date of such permits. He shall keep
a record of all notices and certificates issued by him or his office,
to whom and for what purpose as well as a record of all visits and
inspections made by him in the performance of his duties and of the
reasons therefor and the results thereof.

Persons desiring to erect, alter or repair buildings
or other structures in the City shall make application for a permit
to the Inspector of Buildings which application shall be accompanied
by plans and specifications of the work proposed to be done, and no
such erection, alteration or repairs shall be undertaken until a permit
has been issued therefor in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter.

A complete set of plans and specifications of
any building or structure shall be filed in the office of the Inspector
of Buildings when required by him, and a complete set of plans and
specifications bearing the approval of the Inspector of Buildings
must be kept on the premises during the process of construction if
the Inspector so requires.

No permit to install aluminum siding, asbestos siding, wood-shingle siding and the like shall be granted by the Inspector of Buildings unless the application therefor shall have been approved in writing by the Inspector of Wires. This does not pertain to installations of siding where the electrical service, outdoor fixtures, outdoor receptacles, etc., are not to be disturbed in any way, shape or manner, such as spot repairs or additions to buildings. Proper removal and reinstallation of all electrical equipment shall be performed by a licensed electrician according to Chapters 141 and 143 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Pursuant to MGL c. 23B, §§ 17
and 19, as amended,[1] and the authority conferred by the Massachusetts State
Building Code, Section 119.0, the fee schedules for building, plumbing,
gas and electrical permits shall be deleted in their entirety and
shall be replaced by the attached schedules, which shall be incorporated
herein and become part of this chapter.

When the City of Haverhill is the property owner or lessee,
there shall be no permit fee for work being performed for the City.

A building permit is not required for nonstructural
repairs which cost $1,000 or less for labor and materials. However,
notification of the Building Inspection Department by phone or mail
prior to starting repairs is mandatory in order to be sure repairs
are made in compliance with the Massachusetts Building Code. Said
repairs shall consist of only actual out-of-pocket costs and disbursements.

New construction: permit application of $25, plus
$13 per $1,000 for residential construction and commercial construction,
or portion thereof, with no maximum. New residential occupancy fee
of $50 to be included at time of building permit issuance.

Certification of buildings will be done in accordance
to fees outlined in the Massachusetts State Building Code and in cases
where violations are found, an additional fee of $25 per inspection
will be charged.

If applications are mailed, allow a minimum
of three working days for the permit to be issued prior to requesting
inspection. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for the
return of the permit.

Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(2)(g), which immediately
followed, regarding permit fees for work being done for the City,
was repealed 12-13-2016 by Doc. 114. See now the beginning of this
section.

If applications are sent through the mail, allow a
minimum of three days for the permit to be issued before starting
work. Please call to verify that application has been received and
processed. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return
of the permit. If any questions are not answered or information is
missing, the application will be returned.

The City shall employ the services of a qualified
Clerk of the Works to supervise all appropriate City construction
and/or substantial rehabilitation projects. The Inspector of Buildings
or, where applicable, the Department of Public Works Director shall
determine if the project's scope dictates a Clerk be required and
shall recommend to the Mayor and Council a nominee after first advertising
the availability of position. Rates of pay and benefits shall be as
dictated by current trade standards and the City's personnel regulations
for temporary City employees. City officials, in their official capacity
when required, may serve as the Clerk for the City at no increase
in salary.

All first floor and cellar windows shall have the
material cut to fit between the staff moldings and rest on the windowsill
to provide solid nailing all around. All remaining windows visible
from a public way shall also be so covered.

All signs, either wall or freestanding, announcing
businesses which have since discontinued operation shall be removed
within five days from the date of discontinuance. Any property owner
who fails to adhere to this requirement shall be subject to a fine
not to exceed $100 per day from the date of written notice from the
Building Inspector.[1]